Second Scottish independence vote looks ‘inevitable’

Ministers are said to believe it is a case of when, not if, they are called to vote on the issue.

Those close to Prime Minister Theresa May’s office have suggested Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon may seek a referendum in autumn 2018, but that the UK leaving the European Union may be seen as a priority and interfere with that schedule.

The British government could withhold the legal authority for a vote, yet it seems to be more focused on influencing the date it will take place.

The FT says Scotland is currently split 50:50 over its independence, according to an Ipsos Mori poll.

Unnamed government sources told the newspaper it was looking “inevitable”, while others suggested Sturgeon might still decide to not push for independence in the wake of the Brexit vote.